The global athletic footwear market is expanding at a CAGR of 5.3 per cent. Footwear refers to garments worn on the feet which basically serve as protection from dampness, cold, roughness, dust and heat while walking, standing and running. Athletic footwear includes shoes used in exercise, sports, aerobics, hiking and walking.

Technological advances in the athletic footwear industry have enabled companies to manufacture quality products. Consumers are willing to spend more on footwear owing to the adoption of high-quality raw material and the use of machines that produce accurate and precise products keeping in mind the comfort of consumers. Companies are also focusing on adopting 3-D printing technology with an objective to produce quality shoes in shorter time.

Running and walking shoes dominate the global athletic footwear market. Wide availability in different price ranges followed by daily use by the mass population is expected to propel the growth of this segment. Economy footwear is widely favored by all age groups. Men dominate the global athletic footwear market. Online retail is expected to be the fastest growing segment owing to growing penetration of e-commerce in countries including India and China followed by ease and convenience of shopping. Asia Pacific is the most significant market and holds the largest market value and volume share.